Gavin Creel and Rory O’Malley make a Broadway Impact with “8”

"8". Image via Broadway Impact.

Talk about making an impact.

Gavin Creel and Rory O’Malley, two co-founders of the grass roots marriage equality organization Broadway Impact, have leapt to the top of the theatrical heap with an impressive combination of acting and activism. In the last two years, Broadway Impact has been a galvanizing force in the now successful drive for marriage equality in New York State. In the last few days, the duo’s organization has announced a headline-making gay wedding ceremony on Broadway and, in partnership with the American Foundation for Equal Rights, a one night only reading of Oscar-winner Dustin Lance Black’s new play 8. Based on transcripts from the Federal District Court trial of Perry v. Schwarzenegger (the case filed by AFER to overturn California’s Prop. 8 and reinstate same-sex marriage in the state), the staged reading will be performed at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre September 19 under the direction of Tony-winner Joe Mantello. The Broadway evening, however, represents just the first phase of a larger plan to have the play performed around the country at colleges and local theaters, including presentation hosted by Creel and O’Malley at their alma maters, the University of Michigan and Carnegie Mellon.

As if leading the charge with an ambitious merging of activism and theater weren’t enough, the duo has amassed an impressive body of stage work in recent years; Rory rocketed to stardom in The Book of Mormon (he was my pick for Best Featured Actor in a Musical at this year’s Tonys) and Gavin served as the heart of the acclaimed revival of Hair (earning a Tony nomination for Best Actor in a Musical). Ambitious, talented, political active and…well…so darn adorable, what’s not to love about these guys?

So, in honor of their latest coups (and as a little tribute to two of our favorite men of Broadway), let’s sit back and enjoy watching Rory and Gavin on stage working their magic with two sexy, charming, small-venue performances:

Gavin Creel and Rory O’Malley make a Broadway Impact with “8” was last modified: July 19th, 2011 by tommizer